MMDA warns motorists on heavy EDSA traffic under MECQ

The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) told motorists to expect heavy traffic on EDSA with the increased volume of vehicles after the shift from enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) to modified enhanced community quarantine (MECQ). 

MMDA spokesperson Celine Pialago said more vehicles are now allowed on the road after the Inter-Agency Task Force on Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF) expanded the list of Authorized Persons Outside Residence (APOR).   

Pialago added that additional police checkpoints have also contributed to the traffic on EDSA.

“Dumami po talaga ang bilang ng sasakyan since Saturday and kailangang isa-isahin if kasama sila sa APOR since nadagdag ang mga tao and the sectors allowed to operate under MECQ (The number of vehicles rose since Saturday and we need to check each individual if they are APORs, since the people and sectors allowed to operate under MECQ increased),” she said during the Laging Handa press conference on May 18.

Pialago urged motorists to prepare their APOR documents so police personnel and traffic enforcers can check them out more quickly.

She also emphasized that coordination between the MMDA and the Philippine National Police (PNP) will continue to ensure that only APOR holders are allowed to go outside to limit the movement of people.